Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa has expressed doubts about the first-round election results, claiming irregularities, although he provided no evidence. Independent monitors, including the OAS and EU representatives, have confirmed the election’s integrity. Noboa and rival Luisa Gonzalez, longtime political opponents, prepare for a contentious runoff election in April. The political landscape remains charged as both candidates exchange accusations.
Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa has raised questions regarding the validity of the recent first-round election results, citing perceived irregularities. During an interview with Radio Centro, he expressed skepticism over the outcomes without providing concrete evidence. Noboa stated, “There have been many irregularities, and we are still counting,” while mentioning ongoing checks in various provinces where discrepancies were noted.
In contrast, independent observers, including the Organization of American States (OAS), confirmed that they found no widespread irregularities affecting the election results. The OAS mission issued a statement asserting, “The mission, to date, has not identified or received indications of widespread irregularities that could alter the results of the election,” and encouraged any allegations to be submitted to appropriate authorities.
A European Union monitoring representative, Gabriel Mato, echoed this position, stating, “We do not have a single objective element that there was any type of fraud.” Despite both candidates expressing concerns over the results, Mato criticized the narrative of fraud, declaring there was no objective evidence to substantiate such claims.
Noboa and Gonzalez, long-time political rivals, first competed in 2023 following the dissolution of the National Assembly by ex-President Guillermo Lasso. Noboa, who initially appeared as an unlikely candidate, ultimately won the 2023 runoff election with 52 percent of the votes. Currently, they are poised to compete once more in an April 2025 rematch.
While Noboa criticized Gonzalez’s party for purportedly facilitating criminal activity to sway votes, Gonzalez rebuffed these allegations, emphasizing, “The voters of the [Citizen Revolution] ARE NEITHER NARCOS NOR CRIMINALS.” She further criticized Noboa’s handling of Ecuador’s escalating crime rates and highlighted a recent ruling declaring his campaign activities unconstitutional.
Former President Rafael Correa also commented on the situation via social media, referring to Noboa and his supporters as “bad losers.” With both candidates advancing to the second round of voting on April 13, the stakes remain high as they navigate their contentious political history and the election’s implications for Ecuador’s future.
In summary, President Daniel Noboa has questioned the integrity of the recent Ecuadorian election results, citing irregularities while lacking substantial proof. Independent observers, however, contest these claims, affirming the legitimacy of the results. As Noboa and his adversary, Luisa Gonzalez, prepare for a runoff election, their longstanding rivalry reignites, setting the stage for a heated political showdown in April.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
